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Message from CDRS Executive Director about Chilean Earthquake Tsunami Threats
28 February 2010
Below is a message from Dr. Gabriel Lopez, Executive Director of the Charles Darwin Foundation in Galapagos regarding this past weekend’s earthquake in Chile and threats of a tsunami impacting Galapagos.
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2/27/2010
Dear colleagues,
This morning at 0415, we were awakened and advised by the authorities to evacuate Puerto Ayora because of a tsunami alert, issued as a result of the massive earthquake in Chile.
We assembled all staff, volunteers, and becarios who live on the station within 10 minutes and drove to Bellavista as advised by the authorities.
We were among the first evacuees to arrive in Bellevista but eventually the vast majority of the population of Puerto Ayora made their way there. Shops quickly ran out of water, other liquids and breads and snacks.
Upon receiving the all clear we returned to the Station at 0830.
At the moment the sea is behaving a bit oddly with quickly rising and receding tides of some one meter on 15 minute cycles but we are assured that there is no tsunami alert nor threat remaining at this time .
There are no other anomalies with the exception of no commerce is open at this time and it is unclear when the shops will open.
Will keep you posted on any new developments.
Best regards,
Gabriel
Dr. J. Gabriel Lopez
Executive Director
Charles Darwin Foundation
After the earthquake, and hearing about the tsunami threat and having identified the “rings” of threatened areas, I wanted to know about any impact on all of the islands. Floreana seemed particularly vulnerable. I’m delighted to get this report, however, outdated, because I wasn’t able to find any information at the time of the initial earthquake and aftershocks.
Thanks so much!
— Lynn Coddington · Friday March 12, 2010 · #